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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Ellery, William (1727-1820) to William Whipple

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07154 Author/Creator: Ellery, William (1727-1820) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: May 1778 Pagination: 9 p. + FF 24.7 x 18.1 cm Order a Copy

A long letter from member of the Continental Congress (1776-1781, 1783-1785) and signer of the Declaration of Independence William Ellery to New Hampshire member of the Continental Congress (1776-1779) William Whipple which reprises events from the fall of 1777 to the present time and discusses British mistreatment of prisoners of war, morale and current events in the progress of the American Revolution. Notes that Howe was moving from Philadelphia; "I am just this moment informed that our army will halt this winter in Valley Forge." Addressed to Whipple in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Free-franked. Docket reads: "Answered in [illegible] 4th 5th June 1778". Written on different types of paper.

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